Cause this is what dreams should always be

Aria blinked with surprise when she heard Bellamy’s words, though she shook her head slightly. “No, it’s fine, things were rough, you needed time,” she said quietly as she watched him, still worried - and she definitely didn’t want him to take any of the blame for what had happened, it wasn’t like she was hurt too bad. But she wondered, if he had stayed, would he have been safe from harm? Bellamy didn’t deserve to be hurt, no matter how frustrating he could be. She made a face, though, and shook her head. “Of course I have to worry about you! I don’t want to lose you, you big idiot,” she huffed quietly, though being this close to Bellamy was at least making her concerns ease away, and she chewed hard on her lip with the realization. Her expression softened when he talked about protecting her, and she nodded slightly.

“Of course I know that,” she murmured quietly, though it seemed like the moment the words left her lips, she felt his lips against hers, and it sent such a shock through her that she couldn’t even begin to describe it. Her heart swelled, happiness rushing through her, and she couldn’t help but lean into the kiss, returning it, enjoying it - though it ended far too quickly, in her opinion. She could understand why, though, when he spoke again, and she knew he was right. “Yeah… Yeah, we probably should,” she agreed quietly, her eyes never leaving his, because she was still processing the kiss. “Just - Just a moment, okay? Just… One more time before we leave.” And, taking the initiative, she leaned up to kiss him again, pouring everything she felt for him into the kiss, wanting him to know what he meant to her.

---

Finn watched Evie with concern, listening intently to everything that she had to say, and all he wanted was to comfort her. “They’ll be back before you know it,” he assured her quietly, rubbing her back, resting his forehead against hers, wanting her to know that he was there for her, that he would always be there for her. As she spoke, though, a frown formed on his lips, and he shook his head slightly. “That’s not true at all,” he told her quietly, watching her with concern, his thumbs running over her cheeks. “You’re smart, you’re knowledgeable about medical stuff, you’re level-headed, you try so hard to keep the peace, and you’ve taken a role in this group since day one, determined to make yourself known and useful, and you are useful. Never sell yourself short of that, Evie - never believe you’re anything less than amazing.”

He smiled, though, when he heard her thank him, and he shook his head slightly. “You don’t have to thank me,” he murmured quietly, watching her carefully, intently, wanting to always ensure that she was safe, that she was happy, and he wished she knew how much he loved her, how much she meant to him. But, he knew that he still had a long way to go to regain her trust in him, even if things were way better between them than they had been lately, after he hadn’t told her about Raven. But, feeling her kiss him, he felt his heart lift, every concern drift off him, and he felt forgiven, he felt loved, and he returned her kiss easily, happily, enjoying every moment he could get with the girl he loved so much. He deepened the kiss for a moment, wanting to enjoy the moment, wanting her to know how much she meant to him, how much he loved her, how much he needed her by his side, though he tried not to push any boundaries or overstep any lines.

Hearing Aria’s words about her worrying about him because she didn’t want to lose him, made him rethink everything that has been going through his mind. He had believed that she would have been better off if he left camp, he thought everyone would be happier if he disappeared even his sister. Yet her was the girl he had fallen hard for, saying that she wanted him there. Bellamy wasn’t entirely sure what to think or what he should do now, yet kissing her felt like the right thing to do. And it felt bloody perfect, her warm and smooth lips seemed to welcome his and encourage him more. He never wanted to stop kissing Aria, though he did as he didn’t want to push things or have her feel pressured to go further if that wasn’t what she wanted. He wasn’t going to hurt her in that way, so he broke the kiss even though it was the hardest thing he’s had to do for a while.

He should have turned around and figured out the safest way for them to carry the guns back to the camp, however he couldn’t. He wasn’t frozen to where he stood, no he could certainly move if he wanted to. He just didn’t want to, he liked standing there looking at Aria as her body remained pressed to his. He also needed to catch his breathe which was taken away by kissing her. “Yeah okay…” He agreed to take a moment and smiled when Aria finished her sentence, because he knew what was coming next and he welcomed her kiss instantly. His hands easily finding her hips as he pulled her body even closer to his, her kiss pushed everything thought from his mind and made him feel a little dizzy as she was intoxicating to him. His arms wrapped around her waist to hold her in place, his hand even lowering to her perfectly rounded bum as he lifted her up slightly. Just enough so he could move them and gently press Aria’s back against the bunker wall, without having her stumble with walking backwards. Plus, he wanted to grab her bum and that was a good reason to.

---

Evie took Finn’s words to heart because he was right and she did know that, sometimes she didn’t believe it and she knew that should always believe it. It was nice to hear someone else tell her and to have someone she cared about believe in her as well. Kissing him in that moment was right in every way, she didn’t even think about who could and would see them sharing the affectionate embrace. Raven could see the shared kiss but Evie wasn’t concerned about that, all she wanted to do was kiss Finn and that is what she was going to do. After everything that had happened since they crash landed on the ground, Evie knew she deserved the moment she was sharing with him. He did after all, steal her heart when she was least expecting it. When Finn deepened the kiss, it took all of her will power not to pull him into the drop ship. She didn’t because her body was still healing and didn’t want to risk opening her wound, even if it meant going longer without being intimate with Finn.

Breaking the kiss, Evie could feel just how fast her heart was beating in her chest. Her eyes locked onto his, the darkness of his orbs comforted her in ways that he’d never realise. “Can we go for a walk? Just around camp,” She asked somewhat breathlessly, she wanted to stretch her legs and continue to move to make her blood pump through her body. And she didn’t want to be tempted to kiss Finn back in a way that would lead to them sharing another special experience together, no matter how much Evie wanted to. Besides people were beginning to come down from their high and she wanted to ensure they were all still safe and didn’t end up harming themselves or each other.

Aria could have sworn her heart would burst from happiness when she felt Bellamy returning the kiss, and she used the moment to pour out every ounce of love she felt for him, not wanting to lose the feeling, and not wanting the moment to end. No matter how crazy Bellamy drove her or how angry he could make her, she knew he was the only person she wanted to be with, the only person she wanted to kiss like this, and she relished in the feeling of it, swearing she’d never felt happier. Everything about Bellamy had her feeling safe and secure and wanted, and in this moment, she wanted to enjoy every moment of it that she could get, she didn’t want to ever pull away from him.

Feeling his hands on her hips, she slid her arms around his neck, pressing as close to him as she could manage even after Bellamy had already pulled her to himself. She wanted to get as close to him as she could, she wanted as much contact as she could get, certain that it was the best feeling in the world. When his hands rested on her bum, she gave a quiet noise, gasping against his lips, but she grinned when he lifted her up and she wrapped her legs around his waist, locking herself in place. Her fingers ran through his hair, wanting to memorize every moment of this, and she deepened the kiss, her eyes closing over as she pressed close to him again, desperate for the contact.

---

Finn grinned againt Evie’s lips, enoying every moment of it, because he was happy that they got to share a moment like this again. After what he’d done, he hadn’t been sure that he deserved any of Evie’s affection, but he wanted all of it. And knowing that it was Evie kissing him, he couldn’t help but commit it all to memory, because he loved her so very much, so much that it shocked him at times. But, he knew that he’d do anything for her, to make her happy, to keep her safe, to have her as his, and he intended to do just that. He never wanted to lose her in any way; it’d been hard enough the first time, when he’d hurt her so badly, so deeply, and he only wanted to show her that he was worthy of her, of her love, because she was worth so much.

When Evie pulled back, he didn’t stop her, even though he only wanted to kiss to continue; he wanted to keep feeling her against him and keep enjoying her affection, her attention. But, he wouldn’t push for anything, he knew that she was injured and he knew that he’d hurt her, so he knew it was unlikely that they’d rush into anything physical outside of kissing, at least for now. “Sure, we can do that,” he told her quietly, offering a smile as he watched her, “As long as you feel up to it, I mean - I don’t want you straining yourself or making your injury worse or to get in the way of your healing.” But, as long as Evie felt like she could handle it, he didn’t want to hold her back from it, certain that she probably needed a little movement, at the very least.

Feeling Aria press her body against his only fuelled Bellamy to continue what he currently was, she wasn’t pushing him away or telling him to stop and with how she was kissing him, she seemed to want this just as much as he did. He kept her between the wall and his body, supporting her as she wrapped her legs around his waist. Breaking the kiss, Bellamy started to trail his kisses along her jaw and down to her neck. “Tell me if you want me to stop,” He whispered into her ear as he didn’t want to pressure her into doing anything she didn’t want to, he never wanted to make Aria feel like that or to feel uncomfortable with him. As he kissed her neck his hand squeezed her backside, while his other hand slipped under her shirt and his fingers making contact with the bare skin of her back. It was a simple contact between them, but Bellamy loved how soft her skin felt under his hand.

Having the girl he loved that close to him, to have her kiss him so deeply and her perfect body pressed against his was causing a reaction in his own body. He didn’t want to draw attention to it in case Aria wasn’t ready to go that far with him, if she didn’t then he would understand completely. He would always let Aria decide on what she wanted to do and how far she wanted to take things with him, “You are so beautiful,” He whispered into her ear again as he knew just how lucky he was to even hold Aria after everything that he had done. He didn’t deserve Aria or someone as amazing as she was, how she even still wanted him was a mystery to him because she could do so much better than him.

---

“I’ll be fine, Finn.” Evie spoke as she looked at him and couldn’t help the gentle smile that formed on her face, she’s never had someone in her life who wasn’t her family, who cared so deeply for her and her well being. She wasn’t used to having someone else in her life, on The Ark she had spent her time with her family and that was it. Now she had Finn and Jasper and Monty and possibly even Bellamy, depending on if her sister forgave him for what he had done which Evie hoped that Aria did. Evie didn’t want to sit or lay in bed until her body healed, it would drive her crazy if she was forced to do that. Which caused her to slowly stand as she knew she would still need to take everything slowly, her movements needed to be easy so her wound wouldn’t tear or reopen. “Are you coming?” She looked at him as she held her hand out for him to take, Evie wanted to take things with Finn slow as well as she had to protect herself.

Deep down she knew Finn wouldn’t hurt her again, unless he had another girlfriend up on The Ark that she and Raven didn’t know about. Though she knew how unlikely that would be, he had seen her trust in him vanish the second Raven arrived on the ground. Evie knew he wouldn’t put her through that pain again, he clearly wanted to be in her life and be by her side through whatever the ground threw at them. He had made that obvious to her with how he acted after she had been injured by the Grounder, it was what Evie had been hoping for. That he would drop everything and be at her side when she needed him the most.

Aria could feel a shudder run down her spine when she felt Bellamy’s lips against her neck and she didn’t hesitate for a moment before she angled her neck for him, providing him with as much access as she could, wanting nothing more than to continue feeling his lips against his skin, his body pressed to hers, the contact between them driving her crazy. When she heard his words, she could only manage a small nod and a quick, quiet, “Okay,” because she was too distracted by his breath against her ear, his lips against her neck, and his skin against hers when he slipped his hand under her shirt. Chewing hard on her lip, she reached to kiss and nip at his jaw, wanting as much contact between them as she could manage to get, certain it would never be enough, a part of her worried that every moment was just a hallucination, fuelled by those nuts. But it felt so real, and she found herself craving more.

Hearing his words, she grinned slightly and shifted, reaching to cup his face. “You’re not so bad yourself,” she teased lightly, though she leaned to kiss him deeply again, wishing he knew how much he meant to her, wishing she could put her feelings into words, but too worried about what that would mean. So, instead, she tried to pour it all out in her kiss, pressing as close to him as she could, her hands falling from his face to rest on his shoulders, her fingers then trailing down his chest to curl into his shirt, just desperate for the moment to last, desperate to never lose the way Bellamy made her feel.

---

Finn watched Evie with concern, uncertain, but he wanted to believe Evie, mostly hopeful that she was right, that she really would be fine. The last thing he wanted was for Evie to go through any further pain, to suffer any more than she already had. She deserved so much happiness, so many good things in her life, and the thought that something like this had happened to her, that she was in pain or suffering in any way, tore Finn’s heart in two, because all he wanted was to help in any way he could, to be there for her in whatever way she needed, for her to know she wasn’t alone, that she could rely on him, lean on him, that he would take care of her. “If you’re sure,” he said quietly, though his expression softened when he saw her offering her hand out to him. Smiling, he took her hand to help her up as gently as he could, wanting to be as careful with her as he could, because he didn’t want to make things worse for her. “Of course. You’re not gonna get rid of me that easily.” He winked teasingly and squeezed her hand.

He moved to lead the way carefully, wanting to be as careful with her as he could, because he knew she needed to take things slow to avoid hurting herself any worse, and to ensure that her injury had the chance to heal. “I’m glad you made it through all of that, Evie,” he said after a moment, wanting to tell her, needing to, because he had to voice what he felt so that she knew, so that she understood how afraid he’d been of losing her, how much he never wanted to lose her again, no matter the circumstance or manner. “I just… I never wanna lose you. And I’m never gonna screw up the way I did before, becase it’s not just about losing you physically, your life being gone… I don’t want to lose you at all. I want you to always be a part of my life.” He knew it was a lot to lay on her, but he couldn’t help it; he needed her to know.

(So sorry this one is super short)

Bellamy chuckled softly though his chuckle was soon muffled as Aria pressed her lips against his, which he eagerly returned and never wanted to stop. He wanted to kiss Aria whenever the hell he wanted to, he wanted to hold her and have her in his arms. He wished he could give her everything, though he didn’t have much to give her apart from his heart and his protection. He hoped that would be enough, if he was able to give more to Aria then he would without even thinking about it. Breaking their kiss Bellamy looked into her gentle eyes as his hand began to slowly lift her shirt up, he make sure his actions were slow so Aria would have the time to tell him if he was going too far or if she was getting uncomfortable. He was becoming addicted to the feeling of her bare skin against his, and he was more than happy to have Aria be his addiction.

He wanted to make Aria feel wanted and supported and loved, Bellamy was falling in love with her and he was completely fine with that. He wanted to love her and have Aria return his feelings, although he knew that was a chance that she wouldn’t and if that was the case then he would deal with it.

---

It felt strange for Evie to have someone care so much for her, the only people who did was Evie’s family but even that was different to what she was receiving from Finn. If Evie was honest, she didn’t truly know how to deal with it because it wasn’t something she’s ever experienced until now. And she didn’t want Finn to think she was ungrateful or cold if she acted a little unsure at times, all of this was brand new to her. Feeling Finn take her hand and help her up, even though it felt good to move her body again, she could still feel a slight tug at her side where her wound was healing. She started to slowly follow Finn as he took the lead, however when he started speaking Evie had to stop so she could focus on what he was saying to her. Evie didn’t know what to say in return, was there anything she could say or had to say in a situation like this? Evie had no idea and she didn’t like that, Finn was opening up his heart to her and he was making himself vulnerable in front of her.

“And I will… I’ll always be here, Finn.” She looked at him and it was a promise she shouldn’t have made, neither of them knew what this world had in store for them. Anything could happen, anyone inside their camp could leave or die at any time. But if Evie had any say in what happened to her, then she was planning on not leaving Finn’s side. Looking at him, his words echoed inside her mind as she tried to process it all. “There was a point where I thought I wouldn’t survive,” Her voice dropped as she had thought that she was going to die, when Bellamy had carried her back to camp and her body was filled with pain while her mind had gone into shock. “But then I saw you and Aria by my side,” It was Finn and Aria who made Evie want to survive.

Aria relished in the feeling of Bellamy’s lips against hers, warmth flooding her in a way she was completely unfamiliar with, but she was enjoying every moment of it. She loved Bellamy, she knew that, and she couldn’t imagine loving somebody the way she loved him, she didn’t want to love anybody else the way she loved him. He made her feel happy, safe, loved, alive, and that made her love him all the more. She whined a bit when he broke the kiss, leaning forward to try to reconnect their lips, but she paused when she saw the look in his eyes, her cheeks warming when she felt him lifting her shirt.

Her eyes searched his for a moment and, despite her nervousness, she could feel herself relax, feeling safe with him, and she shifted a bit, lifting her arms to make it easier to get rid of her shirt, helping to get rid of it. But once it was gone, she leaned to press her lips back to his, cupping his face in her hands for a moment, deepening the kiss before her hands reached to slide his shirt off carefully to tug it off.

---

Finn smiled slightly as he listened to Evie’s words, relief filling his very being as he heard her promise, and he watched her for a long time, nodding slightly. “I’ll do everything I can, everything in my power, to make sure of it,” he told her quietly as he watched her, taking her in, “I’ll do my best to protect you and keep you safe, Evie. I promise.” And he was intent on keeping that promise; he would do everything he could to ensure she was alive and well, no matter what. He couldn’t imagine his life without her, and he definitely didn’t want to experience what life would be like without her in it - she was everything he wanted and everything he needed in life.

As Evie continued to speak, though, he felt his expression softening as he watched her, and he reached for her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. “I’m so sorry you thought that,” he told her quietly, “But I’m so glad you made it through, and I’m glad I played a part in keeping you alive.” He lifted his free hand then, tucking her hair behind her ear, cupping her face in his hand, his thumb stroking her chee. “I’m never gonna leave your side. You know that, right?”

Aria would never truly understand just how happy she made him, the strong emotion of pure happiness was something Bellamy hadn’t felt deep in his soul for a long time. And there was a time, even that very day, where he believed he’s never feel happy again. He thought his stupid and selfish actions had pushed Aria away from him completely, yet here she was. With him in a strange bunker, his arms wrapped around her amazing body and his lips kissing her own perfect ones. This was something he had dreamed of, yet never believed it would actually happen for him. He grinned as the fabric of Aria’s shirt left his fingers, the shirt falling onto the ground and his eyes managed to move over her body before she closed the gap and her lips were back pressed against his. A kiss he very easily returned, the taste of her driving him crazy until their kiss broke again. Bellamy lifted his shirt off and tossed it to the side, his hands rested on her bum as he swiftly lifted Aria into his arms.

He took a few steps backwards before he carefully laid Aria down on the ground, their jackets between her bare back and the cold ground. His lips trailed kisses down her neck and over her collarbone, the trail continued down her chest as his hands cupped her breasts and gave them a gentle squeeze. “You’re so beautiful,” He whispered against her soft skin, his eyes connecting with her’s as he hoped he was making her feel amazing and special and needed. Bellamy wasn’t the greatest with his words when it came to expressing how he felt or what he was thinking when Aria was around, he hoped his actions would express how deeply he felt and loved Aria.

---

Evie looked at Finn as her brows pulled together in a confused frown, “You have been protecting me and keeping me safe,” She told him as she remembered very clearly, when the grounder stabbed her and her body had fallen onto the ground. Even through the pain and shock, she remembered how quickly Finn had gotten to her side. She hadn’t been sure on how far away he had been from her, but he was at her side in what seemed like an instant. Even though she wanted to forget about everything that happened in that cave, she would always remember Finn being at her side when she needed him the most. Even after everything she had said to him about Raven, everything she put him through because of that lie, he was still putting himself in danger to get to her. “I’ll always remember what you’ve done for me, Finn” She gazed into his eyes and smiled when she felt him tuck her hair behind her ear.

She nodded her head slightly at his words, the words that made her heart ache with affection and so much love. “I know,” She whispered as she looked at him, enjoying how it felt to have him be there with her. She leaned closer to him and pressed her lips to his, the warmth instantly over taking her and making her head a little foggy. “And I’ll never leave your side,” She mumbled against his warm lips as her free hand rested on his chest, her fingers gripping onto his shirt as if to make sure that he didn’t just vanish.

Aria almost couldn’t believe how right it felt to be with Bellamy like this. Once their lips had reconnected, she couldn’t help but grin with the feeling, relishing in it, almost wishing that they hadn’t waited this long to give into their feelings. If she hadn’t fought how she felt for him for so long because of everything that had happened, everything he’d done, she could have just enjoyed his lips against hers, his skin against hers, much sooner. But, she knew she’d made the right decision in distancing herself from him for a bit - and at least they understood each other better now. And they could enjoy this now, at the very least, and now was better than never.

When he lifted her up, she gave a surprised noise against his lips but laughed, nipping at his lips, only to shudder when he laid her down and she angled her neck once she felt his lips against the skin there. Every point of contact between them was driving her crazy, and a quiet moan escaped her when he squeezed her breasts, her eyes locking onto his when she heard his words. “What a charmer,” she murmured teasingly, grinning before she leaned to nip at his lip, her fingers trailing down his chest. “You’re perfect.” And, he was - and she was so grateful that he chose her.

---

As Evie spoke, Finn kept his attention on her, wanting her to know that he was listening to what she had to say, that he was paying attention, that she held his attention in a way nobody else ever could. His expression softened a bit as he listened, though, and he shook his head slightly. “I could have done better,” he pointed out quietly as he took her in, amazed by her, as he always was, “I should have done better.” If he’d kept a better eye on her, if he’d stayed closer to her, she wouldn’t have gotten hurt at all. She wouldn’t have nearly died. Hell, she wouldn’t be in so much pain now. And he hated that he couldn’t do anything to make it better for her, to take the pain away, to turn back time and fix what had happened. Still, he nodded slightly as he listened to her. “I wish I’d done more for you, though. I wish I’d protected you better, kept you safer. But I’m gonna do everything now to make up for that, I promise.” And he meant it, more than anything.

Still, his thoughts came to a halt when he felt her press her lips against his and a small grin formed on his lips. He knew he didn’t deserve this, didn’t deserve her, but dammit, he’d do everything in his power to make sure he earned the right to call her his, that he made up for everything he ever put her through. She deserved that and so much more. “Good,” he murmured over her lips, his hands reaching to rest on her hips, squeezing there, holding to her hips as he kissed her again, happily, full of love for her. “I’m so lucky to have you in my life, Evie - so lucky that, despite everything I’ve done, I’ve still got you.” Because he knew he didn’t deserve her, of course he did. But he knew he’d do everything in his power so that, some day, he could prove that he deserved her. He never wanted to lose her.

Bellamy couldn’t help the slightly smug grin and slightly proud grin that formed on his face when he heard the soft moan escape from Aria, the sound was heaven to his ears and he wanted to hear that noise more. He needed to hear her moan as it meant he was doing the right thing and he was making her feel good, which is the only thing he wanted at that moment. He didn’t care about himself, as long as Aria had a god time and received all the pleasure possible, was all that he cared about. “I’m only here to charm you, babe” He chuckled softly as his eyes connected with hers, feeling Aria’s hands on his bare chest and having her nip at his lips, he was driving him insane. It took control so he didn’t just pull their pants off right there and then, no, he wanted this time and every time to be special. He wanted to take his time and make sure that he gave his complete self to Aria, to ensure she held all of his attention.

“Thank you,” He whispered before his lips covered hers for a deeper kiss, perfect was something Bellamy didn’t see in himself but he did see Aria as perfect. Bellamy slowly ran his hand down her stomach, his fingers managing to un-button and un-zip her pants before he slipped his hand underneath the fabric. His fingers finding her warmth and the sensitive little nub that he was looking for, his lips also moved down to her neck once again. He kissed the delicate skin of her neck, some kisses were light while others were harder as his fingers continued to rub her, hoping that he would hear her moans once again.

---

Evie couldn’t stop the frown which covered her face as she listened to what Finn was saying, she definitely didn’t agree with him because she remembered that he had been there for her. “You have kept me safe and protected, just because I got hurt doesn’t mean you haven’t been there for me.” She looked into his dark eyes as she hated that is what he thought, “Even if you had been closer to me, I was still the one who approached him.” She reminded Finn as she would have gotten stabbed either way, unless Finn had been standing in front of her which wouldn’t have ever happened at that time. She had been so angry with him, so she had made sure to keep her distance from him. “You’ll just have to protect me from now on,” She looked at him as she knew she could take care of herself, but having someone else who wanted to watch over her, wasn’t something she’d say no to.

Feeling his hands rest on her hips caused her to feel a sense of security, her fingers finding the back of his neck as she looked at him. “Yeah, you are pretty damn lucky” She grinned at him and kissed his lips again, kissing him was something that Aria would never get over, she’d never stop wanting to kiss him. “You’ll always have me,” She whispered against his lips as she didn’t know what she’d do if she didn’t have Finn by her side, he’d been there for her since the dropship crashed onto the ground, she’d be lost without him and that was a thought she never wanted to have.

Aria gave a quiet, breathy laugh when she heard Bellamy’s words, though she could feel her heart swelling with hope that he meant what he said. “I hope so,” she murmured playfully, her fingers teasingly brushing along the hem of his pants. Feeling his hand lowering down her body, though, she couldn’t help but shudder needily, desperate for his touch, desperate to feel him. Her hands stilled when she felt his fingers against her, and she couldn’t help but moan, surprised with how good his fingers felt against her. With a quiet whine, she rolled her hips against him, wanting more of his attention, wanting more of him, her neck angling to provide better access for him. Regaining a bit of control of herself, she undid his pants, though her hands slid back up his body, her arms sliding around him to hold him closer to her as she lifted her hips against his hand, but mostly to ensure her hips met his teasingly.

---

Finn listened to Evie as she spoke, but it didn’t stop the guilt in his chest. If he’d just paid more attention, if he’d been near her, if he’d protected her… Then Evie would have never gotten hurt, she would have never nearly died. He knew that, he knew he could have done so much more to prevent this. “I’m just glad you survived,” he told her quietly as he watched her, taking her in, and he shifted, pressing his forehead to hers. “I don’t know what I would do if I ever lost you like that. I wouldn’t want to survive without you.” She gave him a reason to live, and he was pretty sure that she was his whole reason for even existing in general, that he was meant for her. He’d never been more certain of anything in his life. Hearing her continue to speak, though, he chuckled. “I intend to. Really. I promise.”

He grinned broadly when he heard her words, his grin broadening more when she kissed him, and he let himself enjoy it, returning the kiss happily, holding her closer. “I really hope that’s true,” he muttered over her lips in return, deepening the kiss a bit, swearing that every moment with her, every kiss he shared with her, made him fall all the more for her. And he didn’t really ever want to stop falling, aware that she was the best thing in his life, and he never wanted to lose her, or the feeling she gave him.